Lorena gives Jake 50 dollars to get her a horse. Xavier proposes to her and sobs when she rejects him. He says that he would have given her anything and that he loves her more than anyone could.

Jake and Lorena come to camp. The men are shocked to see Lorena wearing pants. Bolivar wonders if he should leave. He isn’t sure why he wants to go on the drive, but he does not want to return to his wife, although sometimes he misses his children. Call and Gus talk as Sean sings a mournful song. Call tells Newt that Montana is farther away than he has ever been in his life.

Gus is nostalgic and briefly returns to Lonesome Dove. Soupy Jones, a former Ranger, joins their company. Gus visits Jake and Lorena at their camp on his way to Lonesome Dove. Jake has a mesquite thorn in his hand that is threatening to get infected. He is irritated and drunk, and their camp is a mess. At the Dry Bean, Gus says goodbye to Xavier and Lippy. When he leaves, Lippy goes with him as Xavier cries.